There are caves in Santa Cruz County. Caves are common in areas of limestone and other soft rocks. Due to wave action, many caves are formed along the seashore.
Temporary caves have developed on the banks of Soquel Creek due to natural erosion. Some become larger than a typical dorm room.
Several caves have been sealed for safety. There were two caves along Branceforte Avenue used for mushroom farming that have been sealed. Off of Soquel-San Jose Road there is a sealed cave on private property. There were two caves used for tourists attractions in the Felton area that have been sealed.
Caves can be dangerous.
August 2013 a woman had to be rescued from a sea cave near Davenport. Efforts were hindered because it took awhile to find her.
In the Cave Gulch area, one cave is called "Man Trap Cave" because an experienced explorer was trapped there in 1954. Rescue crews were needed and the cave was damaged to free the explorer. Listed as dangerous by the California Speleological Society. One of the longest caves in the county. It is also called Santa Cruz Cave, Tom Sawyer Cave, Man Trap Cave, and IXL Cave. The name IXL Cave was applied long after the IXL Lime works ceased operations and might not be named for it. Most caves are in the Cave Gulch area near UCSC.
Dollof Cave (Bat Cave)
Named for Norman Dollof who discovered the cave in the early 1950's.
Empire Cave, Cowell Cave, Jordan Cave, Porter Cave
Empire Cave is is home to two endemic species of troglobionts, the Dolloff Spider and Empire Cave Pseudoscorpion. The Dolloff Spider is found in several caves around Santa Cruz. It builds a web at the cave entrance and feeds off of the fauna entering and leaving the cave. Typical prey are cave moths. The Empire Cave Pseudoscorpion is even more endemic as it is found only here. It lives on the cave floor. This cave is popular, and there is a problem with visitor leaving trash in the cave. Especially during Halloween.
Hell Hole
Hellhole is also known as IXL
XL Cave, named after the mining company, IXL Lime Works which at one time extracted lime and limestone from the area, was originally discovered in the 50's. Later rediscovered by a local caver in the mid-70's, the cave was literally full of beautiful snow white formations. Cave popcorn covered many walls, stalactites hung from every ceiling and stalagmites of all sizes reached upwards. Beautiful drapperies and pure white flowstone made this fascinating cave a paradise for the native Dolloff Spiders.
Around the mid-80's, IXL was once again rediscovered, this time by the general public. Within just ten years, and even with constant cleanup efforts and ill- fated gatings, IXL Cave has been reduced to a muddy hole. Every formation has been broken and removed. Flowstone is muddy and scratched.
Stump Cave
The entrance is near a sink hole behind a Redwood stump. Located in the Cave Gulch area.
Green Caves
Near Waddel Creek in Big Basin State Park. Longest is about 25 feet.
| Pictures of Caves in Santa Cruz Area. |
 Rocks constantly fall away from beach cliffs. |
 tunnels to allow water runoff to reach the sea are often mistaken for caves. |
 Coastal caves are common. |
